Best Apple Pie Recipe (Homemade & Easy)

Apple Pie Recipe

Golden, buttery crust filled with tender spiced apples — this apple pie is pure comfort in every bite.

🕒 Prep Time: 25 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 6–8 tbsp ice water

For the Apple Filling:

  • 6 medium apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp mix works best)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ⅛ tsp allspice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (to dot on top)

For Assembly:

  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • Coarse sugar for sprinkling
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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Crust

  1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, and sugar together.
  2. Add the cold butter cubes. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
  3. Slowly drizzle in ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix just until the dough comes together. Don’t overwork it — small butter pieces create flakiness.
  4. Divide dough into 2 discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

  1. Peel, core, and thinly slice apples. Place in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and vanilla. Toss until apples are evenly coated and slightly juicy.

Step 3: Roll the Dough

  1. On a floured surface, roll out one dough disc into a 12-inch circle.
  2. Gently fit it into a 9-inch pie pan, letting the edges overhang.
  3. Pour the apple filling into the crust and dot with butter pieces.

Step 4: Top Crust & Seal

  1. Roll out the second dough disc. Place over filling or cut into strips for a lattice design (classic and Pinterest-worthy ).
  2. Trim extra dough, leaving about 1 inch overhang. Fold edges under and crimp decoratively.

Step 5: Egg Wash & Bake

  1. Mix egg and milk, then brush over top crust. Sprinkle with coarse sugar for sparkle.
  2. Place pie on a baking sheet (to catch drips).
  3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 35–40 minutes, until crust is golden and apples are tender.
  4. If edges brown too quickly, cover with foil.

Step 6: Cool & Serve

  • Let pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing so the filling sets.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate cozy dessert.

Pro Tips for the Best Apple Pie

  1. Apple Variety Matters: Mix tart and sweet apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for the best balance of flavor.
  2. Chill Your Dough: Cold butter = flaky crust. Always chill dough and even the assembled pie for 10 minutes before baking.
  3. Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep crust and filling separately the day before and assemble when ready to bake.

Nutrition Information

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 slice (1/8 pie)3804g56g17g4g32g

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Final Thoughts

Homemade apple pie is the heart of fall baking. Whether you make it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this recipe guarantees a flaky crust and perfectly spiced apple filling every time.

It’s classic, simple, and absolutely irresistible. Try it once, and it’ll become your go-to apple pie recipe for years to come!

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